Retail packaging for transaction cards

ABSTRACT

Retail packaging for a transaction card includes a carrier for retaining the transaction card, a transparent encasement enclosing the carrier, literature containing information associated with the transaction card placed within the encasement, and means for hanging the packaging within a retail environment. The encasement may take on a variety of forms, including having a curved outer surface forming a cavity within the encasement. The carrier may also take on a variety of forms, including forms having a main surface and a device for elevating the transaction card off the main surface to create a visual effect that the transaction card is floating within the encasement. The packaging may further include a panel that at least partially obscures the transaction card from view.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to improvements in retail packaging anddisplay technology related to the sale of transaction cards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Open loop association-branded transaction cards (e.g., cards issued orsponsored by MasterCard, VISA, American Express, Discover, and others),stored value cards, gift cards, bankcards, co-branded and affinitycards, debit cards, and the like, may be sold in a retail setting. As isknown, many of these cards contain a variety of information to identifythe card, account related text, data, indicia and features on thesurface of the cards such as card issuer identification, brandinformation, account activation indicia, and card number information.This information may also be encoded within a magnetic strip attached toa surface of the card. Transaction cards of the type described hereinmay be sold in a retail setting and commonly are packaged in or on someform of a carrier or other protective packaging. Many of thesetransaction cards are offered in an inactive state and, therefore, mustbe activated prior to usage. Typically, activation is performed at thetime of sale and requires access to the card's magnetic strip orvariable data barcode, commonly specified by the particular retailer.

Studies conducted by the assignee of the present invention havedemonstrated that consumer interest and purchase intent increasessignificantly through showing the transaction card and/or portions ofthe indicia or brand information on the card on display. However, in aneffort to discourage or prevent theft and/or fraud, it is common fortransaction cards to be displayed for sale in packages in which thecards are fully enclosed to completely obscure viewing of the card.

A need exists, therefore, for an improved retail packaging assembly fortransaction cards which permits the viewing of the front of thetransaction card while maintaining sufficient security. A preferredsolution would balance brand recognition and desired security associatedwhile ensuring the packaging contains sufficient technology to be usedin a retail environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, packaging fortransaction card includes a carrier for retaining the transaction card,a transparent encasement enclosing the carrier, literature containinginformation associated with the transaction card placed within theencasement, and means for hanging the packaging within a retailenvironment. The encasement may take on a variety of forms, includinghaving a curved outer surface forming a cavity within the encasement.The carrier may also take on a variety of forms, including forms havinga main surface and a device for elevating the transaction card off themain surface to create a visual effect that the transaction card isfloating within the encasement. The packaging may further include apanel that at least partially obscures the transaction card from view.

According to another aspect of the present invention, packaging for atransaction card includes a protective encasement having a front shelland a mating back shell, wherein the back shell includes a cutoutforming an opening when the front shell is mated with the back shell ina closed condition. A carrier for retaining the transaction card isplaced within the encasement. Preferably, carrier has a main panelhaving a flap foldable over the main panel, with the main panel and theflap being enclosed within the protective encasement. The carrier alsoincludes a rear panel and a hinge panel attaching the rear panel to themain panel. The hinge panel preferably extends through the opening suchthat the rear panel is located outside of the encasement. Thetransaction card may be affixed to the main panel with the flap beingsmaller than the main panel such that when the flap is in a foldedposition the flap obscures a portion of the transaction card.

In another embodiment, the packaging for a transaction card includes arear panel, an inner sheet having an opening attached to the rear panel,a shell housing the transaction card and partially residing within theopening (with the shell adhered to the rear panel and the inner sheet)and a flap panel foldably attached to the rear panel such that when theflap panel is in a folded position the flap panel obscures a portion ofthe transaction card.

In another embodiment, the packaging for a transaction card includes arear panel and a front panel having an opening, wherein the front panelis at least partially adhered to the rear panel such that thetransaction card is held between the front and rear panels and whereinat least a portion of the transaction card is visible through theopening in the front panel.

In another embodiment, the packaging for a transaction card includes amulti-panel carrier comprising a rear panel, a front panel, and acentral panel, wherein both the central panel and the front panel arefoldably attached to the rear panel. The packaging further includes aprotective encasement housing the carrier and a pouch for retaining thetransaction card attached to the central panel. Preferably, the pouch issized smaller than the transaction card to permit a portion of thetransaction card to be viewed. In this embodiment, the front panel hasan opening and the central panel folds onto the rear panel and the frontpanel folds onto the central panel so that the pouch partially extendsthrough the opening in the front panel.

In yet another embodiment, the packaging for a transaction card includesa front panel having an opening, a rear panel adhered to the frontpanel, and a transparent shell for housing the transaction card.Preferably, the shell has a cavity formed to fit within the opening ofthe front panel such that the transaction card may be placed within thecavity. The packaging may also include a screen sized to fit within thecavity of the shell in front of the transaction card to partiallyobscure the transaction card from view.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following detailed description,appended claims, and accompanying drawings, wherein the drawingsillustrate features in accordance with exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is front perspective view of the packaging for a transaction cardin accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the carrier of the packagingof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the packaging for a transactioncard in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is another front perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of the packaging for a transactioncard in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of the packaging for a transactioncard in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of the packaging for a transactioncard in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 16 in a partially opened condition;

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 16 in a opened condition;

FIG. 22 is a rear perspective view of the carrier of the packaging ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 23 is a front perspective view of the packaging for a transactioncard in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a rear perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 23; and

FIG. 25 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging of FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate one embodiment of the retail packaging 100 forsecurely housing a transaction card 110. In this embodiment, packaging100 includes a two-piece clamshell-type protective encasement 112,including a front shell 114 and a mating back shell 116. The protectiveencasement 112 is adapted to encapsulate or hold a transaction card 110,various forms of literature or instructional material, and carrier 118.The encasement 112 is preferably formed from clear, see-through orfrosted plastic, although other forms are within the scope of thepresent invention. The encasement 112 is preferably sealed along itsperipheral margin, for example, using a heat bond, an adhesive seal, aRF laser-based seal, UV heat glue, or other means customary in thepackaging industry. The sealed encasement 112 provides protectionagainst tampering and pilferage of the enclosed transaction card 110.The encasement 112 may be sized as desired for retail display andsecurity purposes.

The front shell 114 of the encasement 112 may be curved (for example,along the horizontal dimension) to create a visual perception of packagedepth. For example, the encasement 112 when in a fully closed positionmay be about 5-7 mm in depth at the left and right peripheral edges andabout 10-12 mm at the center. Preferably, the front shell 114 mates withthe back shell 116. For example, the front shell 114 may include aninner edge 120 that snugly engages over a similarly shaped outer edge122 on the back shell 116. An aperture 124 may be defined in the frontshell 114 and/or the back shell 116 for suspending the encasement 112from a display peg or J-hook.

In certain embodiments, the top portion of the back shell 116 mayinclude a cutout region 126 forming an opening when the front shell 114is mated with the back shell 116 in a closed condition. The openingpermits a portion of the carrier 118 to reside outside of the protectiveencasement 112 as described below. The retail packaging 100 may alsoinclude a booklet 128 containing, for example, terms and conditions foruse with the transaction card 110. The booklet 128 may be placed in acavity formed in the inside surface of the back shell 116, which is thenconcealed from view by the carrier 118. The design of the packaging 100that permits a small booklet 128 containing all the terms and conditionsassociated with the transaction card 110 required under disclosures lawsand regulations is particularly useful in that it avoids the expense oflater mailing out such information to the user. The booklet 128 maycontain full or temporary terms and conditions and/or otherconsumer-related material (how the transaction card works, how toactivate it, how to use it, how to reload it, etc.).

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the carrier 118 preferablyincludes four portions. Main panel 130 supports the transaction card110. For example, the transaction card 110 may be releasably secured tothe center portion of the main panel 130 (or offset therefrom) in anysuitable manner known in the art, such as by use of a releasable glue ortape product. Preferably, a suspension device 144 is affixed between thetransaction card 110 and the main panel 130. The suspension device 144may be a piece of corrugated paper or foam or similar device thatelevates the card 110 off of the main panel 130 to create a visualeffect that the transaction card 110 is floating within the packaging100. Thus, the transaction card 110 may be releasably secured to thesuspension device 144 and the device 144 may be affixed to the mainpanel 130.

Flap 132 folds over along the perforated or scored fold line 134 tocover or obscure portions of the transaction card 110. For example, theflap 132 may be sized, shaped, and/or configured to conceal the cardnumber and expiration date, while allowing visibility to theidentification of the card issuer and other indicia on the card 110. Asillustrated in FIG. 1, the flap 132 may be configured to conceal thecenter portion of the card 110, while leaving the left and right sidesof the card exposed to viewing. In certain embodiments, the transactioncard 110 may include a customer response vehicle label (i.e., aremovable sticker) that further conceals certain information containedon the card 110 from view.

Although the carrier 118 may be limited to main panel 130 and flap 132,in certain embodiments, a back panel 136 may be hinged to the main panel130 by means of hinge panel 138, which extends through the opening inthe back shell 116 such that the back panel 136 resides outside of theencasement 112. A potential purchaser of the transaction card 110 mayopen the back panel 136 using thumb notch 140 to reveal textualinformation and/or retailer technology on the inside of the back panel136 or the opposing side of the main panel 130 (which is viewablethrough the clear back shell 116) to facilitate the retail sale of thetransaction card 110. The back panel 136 may be opened in the retailsetting prior to purchase of the transaction card 110 to revealadditional information to the potential purchaser without destroying theintegrity of the packaging 100. In particular, the information and/ortechnology revealed by opening up the back panel 136 may include accountactivation indicia, such as a mag-stripe or variable bar code 146 (andpossibly a universal price code), so that the transaction card 110 maybe activated at the cash register when the retail package is purchased.In addition, the textual information may include purchasing information,card activation information, advertising information, and otherinformation for the potential purchaser. In embodiments without thehinge panel 138 and the back panel 136, the information and/ortechnology described above may be contained on the back of the mainpanel 130 and viewable through the back shell 116. Preferably, the mainpanel 130 and the back panel 136 are shaped to mate with the size andshape of the front shell 114 and back shell 116 of the encasement 112,with the exception of the peripheral margin. The outside surface of theback shell 116 may also include a recess to retain the back panel 136.The recess may be approximately the thickness of the back panel 136, forexample, between about 6-12 mm.

The carrier 118 may be constructed from any suitable materials known inthe art such as cardboard, laminated card or sheet stock, or the like.The material for some or all of the panels of the carrier 118 may be inthe form of clear foil laminated or adhered to the panels improve theappearance of the packaging 100. Portions of the carrier 118 may containprinted matter, such as brand identification, regulatory information,discretionary advertising, and the like.

FIGS. 6-9 illustrate a second embodiment of the retail packaging 200 forretaining a transaction card 210. The packaging 200 may be adapted toencapsulate, hold, or embody the transaction card 210, along withvarious forms of literature or instructional material. Although FIGS.6-9 illustrate the transaction card 210 in a horizontal orientation, itcan be appreciated that the card 210 may be placed in other orientationsusing the packaging 200.

The packaging 200 preferably includes a rear panel 202 having anattached flap panel 204. An inner sheet 212 having an opening 216 may beattached to the inside surface of the rear panel 202. A plastic shell214 resides within the opening 216 and is attached along it periphery toboth the rear panel 202 and the inner sheet 212 to house the transactioncard 210 and, optionally, a booklet 216 containing, for example, termsand conditions for use with the transaction card 210. The plastic shell214 is preferably formed from clear, see-through or frosted plastic,although other forms are within the scope of the present invention. Thebooklet 216 may be placed in a cavity formed in the inside surface ofthe plastic shell 214 back shell 116, which is then concealed from viewby the transaction card 210. The design of the packaging 200 thatpermits a small booklet 216 containing all the terms and conditionsassociated with the transaction card 210 required under disclosures lawsand regulations is particularly useful in that it avoids the expense oflater mailing out such information to the user. The booklet 216 maycontain full or temporary terms and conditions and/or otherconsumer-related material (how the transaction card works, how toactivate it, how to use it, how to reload it, etc.).

A second booklet 208 may be affixed to the outer surface of the innersheet 212. This second booklet 208 may contain purchasing information,card activation information, advertising information, and otherinformation for the potential purchaser. An aperture 206 may be definedin each of the rear panel 202, the flap panel 204, the inner sheet 212,and the booklet 208 for suspending the packaging 200 from a display pegor J-hook.

The flap panel 204 folds over along the perforated or scored fold line218 to cover or obscure portions of the transaction card 210. Forexample, the flap 218 may be sized, shaped, and/or configured to concealthe card number and expiration date, while allowing visibility to theidentification of the card issuer and other indicia on the card 210. Incertain embodiments, the transaction card 210 may include a customerresponse vehicle label (i.e., a removable sticker) that further concealsinformation contained on the card 210 from view.

The front and rear sides of the flap panel 204, as well as the rear sideof the rear panel 202, may contain marketing or purchasing information.The rear side of the rear panel 202 may include account activationindicia, such as a mag-stripe or variable bar code 208 (and possibly auniversal price code), so that the transaction card 210 may be activatedat the cash register when the retail package is purchased.

The rear panel 202, flap panel 204, and inner sheet 212 may beconstructed from any suitable materials known in the art such ascardboard, laminated card or sheet stock, or the like. The material forsome or all of the rear panel 202, flap panel 204, and inner sheet 212may be in the form of clear foil laminated or adhered to the panelsimprove the appearance of the packaging 200. Portions of the rear panel202, flap panel 204, and inner sheet 212 may contain printed matter,such as brand identification, regulatory information, discretionaryadvertising, and the like.

FIGS. 10-12 illustrate another embodiment of packaging 300 to house atransaction card 310. In this embodiment, the transaction card 310 (andoptionally booklet 312) is held in place between rear panel 304 andinner panel 306. For example, the inner panel 306 may be glued along itsperiphery to rear panel 304 to retain the card 310 in place. The innerpanel 306 preferably includes a window 318, for example, a cutoutopening in the panel 306 covered in a transparent film to permit aportion of the transaction card 310 to be viewed from outside thepackage 300. A front panel 302 is affixed to the inner panel 306. Thefront panel 302 includes an opening 316 aligned with the window 318 topermit viewing access to the card 310. The transparent window 318 may beformed from any suitable material known in the art, such as anytransparent plastic. The transaction card 310 is preferable placed andoriented within the window 318 so that certain data, text or otherindicia is visible through the window, for example a holographic imageand/or emblem associated with a transaction card 310 located in thepackaging 300. The booklet 312 may contain full or temporary terms andconditions and/or other consumer-related material (how the transactioncard works, how to activate it, how to use it, how to reload it, etc.).

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the rear panel 304 may include accountactivation indicia, such as a mag-stripe or variable bar code 320 (andpossibly a universal price code), so that the transaction card 310 maybe activated at the cash register when the retail package is purchased.The rear panel 304 may also include a tear strip 316 to facilitateopening the packaging 300 by the consumer to access the transaction card310. An aperture 314 may be defined in each of the rear panel 304, thefront panel 302, and the inner panel 306 for suspending the packaging300 from a display peg or J-hook.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a fourth embodiment of the retail packaging 400for retaining a transaction card 410. The packaging 400, which may besized as desired for retail display and security purposes, preferablyincludes a pouch 402 that is generally transparent and maybe formed fromclear, see-through or frosted plastic, although other forms are withinthe scope of the present invention. The pouch 402 is preferably sealedalong its peripheral margin, for example, using a heat bond, an adhesiveseal, a RF laser-based seal, UV heat glue, or other means customary inthe packaging industry. In this embodiment, the pouch 402 providesprotection against tampering and pilferage of the enclosed transactioncard 410. A label may be included on the pouch 402 to partially obscurethe enclosed retail card 410 from view and may include customaryadvertising and product information.

Upon purchase, the pouch 402 may be opened on its top end to permitaccess to the enclosed transaction card 410. The transaction card 410may be adhered to an inner panel 404 (for example at adhesion points416) along with, optionally, a booklet containing, for example, termsand conditions for use with the transaction card 410. The transactioncard 410 may be oriented in any direction within the pouch 410. A secondbooklet 408 may be attached to the rear side of the pouch 402. Thissecond booklet 408 may contain consumer-related material (how thetransaction card works, how to activate it, how to use it, how to reloadit, etc.). In order to provide further structural support to thepackaging 400, the second booklet 408 may be adhered to the pouch 402via an insert panel 410. The second booklet 408 may be retained in aclosed position using, for example, tape 414. The packaging 400 mayinclude an aperture 412 to allow the packaging 400 to be displayed on ahook in the retail setting.

FIGS. 16-22 illustrate another embodiment of packaging 500 to house atransaction card 510. This embodiment includes a clear plastic shell 502housing a multi-panel carrier 504, to which is attached pouch 506 forretaining transaction card 510. The shell 502 and carrier 504 mayinclude an aperture 518 to allow the packaging 400 to be displayed on ahook in the retail setting.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the shell 502 is preferably formed fromclear, see-through or frosted plastic, although other forms are withinthe scope of the present invention. For example, the shell 502 may beformed from a cut sheet of plastic folded over and sealed in the form ofa rectangular container to house the carrier 504.

The carrier 504 includes central panel 514, rear panel 512, and frontpanel 508. The pouch 506, which may be formed, for example, by folding asheet of cardboard is attached to the central panel 514. Thus, when usedin a retail setting, the pouch 506 gives the transaction card 510 theappearance that it is floating within the carrier 504. The front panel508 folds over the central panel 514 such that the opening 516 in thefront panel 508 fits over the pouch 506.

The rear panel 508 may include account activation indicia, such as amag-stripe or variable bar code, so that the transaction card 510 may beactivated at the cash register when the retail package is purchased. Abooklet containing terms and conditions and/or other consumer-relatedmaterial may be included in between the central panel 514 and rear panel508 when such panels are folded onto one another.

FIGS. 23-25 illustrate another embodiment of the packaging 600, whichpreferably includes shell 620, screen 618, transaction card 610, andbooklet 624 sandwiched between front panel 612 and rear panel 614, whichare then glued or otherwise adhered together. The front panel 612 andrear panel 614 may be formed from cardboard, laminated card or sheetstock, or the like, and include aperture 616 for placement on a hook.Shell 620 is preferably formed from a transparent sheet into a smallcavity having a lip 626 designed to retain the shell 620 in the opening622 in the front panel. The lip 626 of the shell 620 may be adhered tothe inside of the front panel 612. The screen 618 (e.g., a sheet ofcardboard), transaction card 610 and booklet 624 may be retained withinthe cavity of the shell 620. Preferably, the screen 618 is smaller inoverall size than the transaction card 610 to permit some portion of thetransaction card 610 be viewed when the packaging 600 is displayed in aretail setting. For example, as shown in FIGS. 23 and 25, the screen 618may have one corner trimmed off to permit a triangular section of thetransaction card 610 viewable.

Although certain illustrative embodiments and methods have beendisclosed herein, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure tothose skilled in the art that variations and modifications of suchembodiments and methods may be made without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. For example, although the embodiments shownherein are used in conjunction with transaction cards (e.g., anassociation-branded prepaid card, prepaid cards, debit cards, giftcards, etc.), the innovative retail packages disclosed herein may beused with other types of cards or merchandise. Accordingly, it isintended that the invention should be limited only to extent required bythe appended claims and the rules and principals of applicable law.

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 7. Packaging for a transaction card comprising: a protectiveencasement comprising a front shell and a mating back shell, wherein theback shell comprises a cutout forming an opening when the front shell ismated with the back shell in a closed condition; a carrier for retainingthe transaction card within the encasement, the carrier comprising: amain panel having a flap foldable over the main panel, the main paneland the flap being enclosed within the protective encasement; a rearpanel; and a hinge panel attaching the rear panel to the main panel, thehinge panel extending through the opening such that the rear panel islocated outside of the encasement; wherein the transaction card may beaffixed to the main panel and wherein the flap is smaller than the mainpanel such that when the flap is in a folded position the flap obscuresa portion of the transaction card.
 8. The packaging of claim 7 whereinthe main panel, the rear panel, the hinge panel, and the flap are formedfrom a single sheet of card stock material.
 9. The packaging of claim 7wherein the flap is foldable over the main panel along a perforated foldline.
 10. The packaging of claim 7 further comprising an bookletcontaining terms and conditions associated with the use of thetransaction card placed within the protective encasement, wherein themain panel separates the instruction booklet from the transaction card.11. The packaging of claim 7 wherein the front shell comprises a curvedouter surface.
 12. The packaging of claim 7 wherein the back shellcomprises an inner surface and wherein a cavity is formed within theinner surface.
 13. The packaging of claim 7 wherein the front and backshells are securely mated to one another along their coincidingperipheries except in an area adjacent the opening.
 14. The packaging ofclaim 7 wherein the width of the opening is less than the width of therear panel.
 15. The packaging of claim 7 wherein the flap in a foldedposition obscures card identification information from view.
 16. Thepackaging of claim 7 wherein the rear panel may be opened along thehinge panel to reveal additional consumer information.
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